With the excitement of the NCAA March Madness Tournament in full swing, I figured it best to drop in and wish everyone much luck in your bracket pools. Well, as it goes, this only applies to those outside of my own; if you are in my pool, just to let you know, Kent State lost already so you’re toast.

And as keeper of the faith and all that is good in American society, I must add a few tips to the degenerate gamblers out there: please avoid gambling away anything other than your hair, ham sandwiches, haircuts, ham sandwiches and firstborns (Rumpelstiltskin, anyone?).

My bracket this year is my safest ever (check it out on ESPN’s Tourney Challenge, Username: MECTimHops) and I am a little disappointed in it, because I typically take pride in following random teams throughout the year and picking (50-50 on the success rate, admittedly) an out-of-nowhere (to others) upset.

Full disclosure: I do root for the University of North Carolina, and have since I was a wee one. They are the consensus #1 coming into the tourney, so picking them worked out quite fine. After watching their resiliency in the Clemson game (the Tigers’ Booker is an animal — he just swatted my last sentence into the stands just now) and throughout the ACC tourney, I think they have the right amount of things working in their favor. Although, if the East part of my bracket works out like it should (because of my amazing, safe pick ‘em skillz), then Indiana will take on UNC for a very tough match-up, though I favor the ‘heels by way of their much-superior coach. With that said, I do believe in jinxes, so I apologize to other ‘heels fans out there, because I may have just ruined their chances!

Stuck at work late, I’m exercising my after-hours right to peruse the CBS website and watch these games online.

Happy Tourney Day, to all!*

*I told you folks in my tourney pools I wish nothing but ill wishes and sour dreams for your brackets!